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Travel Vaccines and Advice for Central and South America

Machu Picchu, Rio de Janiero, the Panama Canal. Central and South America is one of the best regions for exotic travel. It provides multiple Wonders of the World and a wide variety of cuisines and cultures to explore. But, there are some risks involved.

On This Page:
What Vaccines Do I Need for Central and South America?
Are There Other Health Concerns in Central and South America?
What Are the Entry Requirements in Central and South America?
Travelling to Another Destination?

Passport Health offers all the medications and vaccinations you may need to travel safely throughout Central and South America. See our What Vaccines… section to learn more.

Countries in this region include:

Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Bouvet Island
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
French Guiana
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Suriname
Uruguay

The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to Central and South America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever and rabies.

Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, this includes: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, meningitis and polio.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travellers, based on their specific itinerary.

See the tables below for more information:

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Central and South America
VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
Hepatitis A Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Hepatitis B Contaminated Body
Fluids (Sex, needles, etc.) 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Typhoid Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Cholera Contaminated Food
or Water 		May be recommended based
on your specific itinerary.
Yellow Fever Mosquito-borne May be recommended or required
for most of the region.
Rabies Infected Animals Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers
and those who may come in contact with animals.

Recommended Routine Vaccinations for Central and South America
VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) Various Vectors Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born
after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) Wounds or
Airborne 		One adult booster of pertussis recommended
for most travellers.
Influenza Airborne Generally recommended for all travellers.
Vaccine components change annually.
Chickenpox Direct Contact
or Airborne 		Given to those unvaccinated that
did not have chickenpox.
Shingles Direct Contact Recommended for individuals 50+. Vaccine can
still be given if you have had shingles.
Pneumonia Airborne All individuals 65+ or immunocompromised
should receive this vaccine.
Meningitis Airborne or
Direct Contact 		Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an
increased risk, especially students.
Polio Contaminated Food
or Water 		Generally considered a routine vaccination.
Single adult booster recommended.

Sources: PHAC, WHO and ISTM

While a beautiful destination, there are some additional risks for travel to Central and South America.

Dengue and Zika are present in most countries in the region. Unfortunately, there is no vaccination or medication to prevent these infections. Make sure to bring and use mosquito repellent and netting. Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Malaria is prevalent in some regions, especially jungles. Be sure to speak with a travel health specialist about your antimalarial options. Your specialist will be able to provide you with the best information based on your specific travel plans.

Travellers’ diarrhea is a risk for all travellers. Recent studies show up to 70 percent of travellers will contract some form of diarrhea during their trip. This can lead to missed work days, travel experiences and more. Make sure to take precautions by eating at reputable establishments, washing hands regularly and brining a travellers’ diarrhea kit.

Many of the most popular destinations in Central and South America do not require visas. But, major countries like Brazil and Paraguay do. Make sure you to verify your travel document requirements before leaving on your trip.

Many countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry when arriving from a country with transmission or upon entry. Check with your travel health specialist or the specific destination advice page to learn more about your specific destination’s requirements.

See the below table for more information:

Do I Need a Passport or Visa for My Trip?
Passport Tourist Visa Business Visa Required
Vaccinations
Argentina table check mark
Belize table check mark table check mark table check mark
Bolivia table check mark table check mark table check mark
Brazil table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Chile table check mark
Colombia table check mark table check mark
Costa Rica table check mark table check mark table check mark
Ecuador table check mark table check mark
El Salvador table check mark table check mark
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) table check mark table check mark
French Guiana table check mark table check mark table check mark
Guatemala table check mark table check mark table check mark
Guyana table check mark table check mark
Honduras table check mark table check mark
Mexico table check mark table check mark
Nicaragua table check mark table check mark table check mark
Panama table check mark table check mark table check mark
Paraguay table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Peru table check mark table check mark
South Georgia
and the South
Sandwich Islands		 table check mark table check mark
Suriname table check mark table check mark table check mark
Uruguay table check mark

Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.

Travelling outside of Central and South America? Learn more about your destination with our full compliment of destination advice pages!

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